14 Best City Escape Hotels

The Royal Mansour Marrakech is about as stereotypically Moroccan as you can get in a single hotel. The architecture and décor are exactly what you would picture if asked to imagine a palace in the Arab Maghreb, including iconic Moorish arches, intricate designs, and rich colours throughout.

Despite its classical design, the hotel is relatively modern, with an impressive selection of facilities to make for a very comfortable city break in Marrakesh. The 5-star property boasts indoor and outdoor swimming pools, various fitness and wellness options, and 4 luxurious restaurants. Conveniently, the hotel is also located close to the centre of the city, within the walls of the medina and just a short walk from Kutubiyya Mosque.

The Lowell is a subtly stylish hotel in the heart of Manhattan, just a block away from Central Park. While the 5-star setting is undoubtedly luxurious, the décor aims for elegant simplicity. The luxury really shows in the service, which is frequently praised for its personal touch and unerring politeness.

The restaurants at The Lowell really excel, with the Majorelle as its jewel in the crown. The fine-dining French restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and is so popular that even hotel guests need to make reservations, especially if you want to sit out on the terrace. If the weather isn’t nice enough for alfresco dining, you could always retreat to your room – many of the 74 available have their own fireplace you can snuggle up by.

Banyan Tree Puebla brings all of the brand’s iconic luxury and elegance to the historical heart of Mexico’s 4^th largest city. Both inside and out, the hotel is a collision between Renaissance style and contemporary comfort. It doesn’t look out of place when compared to the UNESCO-rated historical centre of Pueblo, which is only a few steps away.

A historical look certainly does not mean and old-fashioned experience. Enjoy a dip in the outdoor pool on the roof terrace, dine in one of the 3 stylishly modern restaurants, and enjoy a wide array of treatments in the on-site spa. The rooms, too, are modern, stylish, and comfortable.

Suiran achieves the unique feat of being a city break hotel that feels like a countryside escape. The riverside property is on the western outskirts of Kyoto, in the suburb of Arashiyama. The hotel is walking distance from a famed bamboo forest and centuries old Togetsu-kyo Bridge. Other highlights in the area include Tenryū-ji Temple and Kameyama Park, with central Kyoto a simple 10-minute train ride away.

You may be tempted to skip exploring Kyoto and just spend the whole holiday enjoying the hotel’s extraordinary facilities. Each of the 39 rooms is furnished in a contemporary style that’s heavily influenced by traditional Japanese design and 17 of the rooms also have their own hot spring bath. The restaurant is a similar blend of historical and modern, with French twists on local dishes.

The Mandarin Oriental Jumeira is exactly as lavish and stylish as you would expect of a beachfront hotel in Dubai. There are no fewer than 5 outdoor pools (not counting the Arabian Gulf, of course), 5 restaurants and lounges, and 9 treatment rooms in the on-site spa. This 5-star property is definitely a place to be pampered once your day of urban exploration has come to an end.

The hotel’s location is very good, with the trendy beachfront dining and shopping complex of La Mer a little way along the shore and the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa a short distance inland. With modern styling and supreme comfort, though, you might not ever want to leave your room.

The Sheraton Mexico City Maria Isabel Hotel is conveniently located just outside the centre of the Mexican capital, right by the iconic Angel of Independence monument. The city’s historical centre is a few kilometres up the road, but the area immediately around the hotel has plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from and the many attractions of the Bosque de Chapultepec are close by.

The convenience continues inside, with a rooftop pool, an on-site spa and a 24-hour health club. There are also 3 restaurants and 2 bars to choose from. The 756 rooms of the hotel each have a cosy, modern décor – subtly stylish and comfortable, with plenty of modern amenities.

The Fera Palace Hotel has a bright and breezy feel to it that perfectly suits its coastal location. Situated close to the marinas and ferry terminal of Salvador, the 4.5-star hotel has a classical, luxurious style that can be found throughout the property – from its rooftop pool down to Restaurante OMI, which specialises in Brazilian cuisine.

The hotel’s 81 rooms are modestly decorated and simply furnished but are nonetheless stylish and suit the carefree atmosphere. The vintage look conceals contemporary comforts throughout the hotel, including a fitness room and spa.

Ett Hem looks like your own little castle in the middle of Stockholm. Regal touches can be felt in its distinctive architecture, right down to the 4-poster beds in several of the 12 rooms. Being such a small property, the emphasis is on quality over quantity, meaning that there are plenty of great facilities to ensure that you have a wonderful stay. Check out the excellent spa and first-class restaurant serving regional dishes.

If you plan to explore the city during your stay, Ett Hem is a great place to start. The town centre is about a 20-minute walk away and the hotel is just over the road from Stockholm East Station and one of Stockholm’s more beautiful metro stations.

Despite its grand name, Windsor Tower Hotel has a restrained style. That’s not the same as being basic – far from it. The 4-star property has a rooftop pool with poolside bar and the Trattoria Alloro restaurant serves some excellent Italian cuisine. There’s also a fitness room and steam room available.

Arguably, the standout feature here is the location. The hotel is a few steps away from the sands of Praia da Barra da Tijuca, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. If you want some beach time with your city escape, the Windsor Tower Hotel is a great choice.

The Rocco Forte Hotel de la Ville certainly suits its surroundings, with a distinctly Roman feeling to every room. Whether you’re looking across the rooftops while enjoying your breakfast on the terrace or enjoying the extensive services of the on-site spa, you’ll see classical décor and stylish designs wherever you look. The hotel also boasts 3 restaurants, 3 lounges and a 24-hour fitness centre.

The hotel’s central location is excellent for those aiming to explore Rome’s many historical sites. Villa Borghese is a couple of minutes to the north, Trevi Fountain is just to the south, and the Spanish Steps are almost right next door. The nearest metro station is just around the corner, too.

Hotel do Chiado is a comfortable and convenient place to stay while enjoying a city escape in Lisbon. The hotel is sleek and modern, with a lovely rooftop terrace and bar overlooking the historical hub of the city. The main restaurant serves great local dishes and there’s a snack bar where you can pick up something to keep you going while you explore the Portuguese capital.

Exploring is made easy by the hotel’s excellent location. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from Rossio Square, with the Arco da Rua Augusta and Lisbon Cathedral both close by. There are also metro and bus stops just around the corner, giving you access to attractions throughout the wider Lisbon region.

Hotel de Orangerie luxurious yet cosy place right in the middle of Bruges. Situated close to the Bruges Market Square, the hotel backs onto the Dijver Canal, which cuts through the city’s historical heart. The Basilica of the Holy Blood and plenty of other historical attractions are all within easy walking distance.

The hotel is practically a historical attraction itself, with its flamboyant décor and furnishings. However, the 20 rooms and the excellent restaurant are right up to date, providing 4-star comfort and waterfront dining.

Judita Palace Heritage Hotel certainly lives up to its name, closely resembling a historical palace in its grandeur and décor. Each of the 19 rooms in the 4-star property is bright and airy, with elegant fixtures and modern conveniences. In fact, the place looks like a set from Game of Thrones – an apt comparison, given that Split’s Game of Thrones Museum is just a few streets away.

The choice of facilities is a little limited, but the first-class location on People’s Square makes them largely unnecessary. The hotel is right in the middle of Split’s Old Town, with the boardwalk, beach and ferry terminals all within a short walk.

The Peninsula Paris is an elegant hotel in the 16th arrondissement of the French capital. It has an unparalleled location, just a 4-minute walk from the iconic Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées. Guests can experience true Parisian luxury at this hotel, thanks to its wide range of luxurious amenities. The Peninsula Spa is known as one of the largest hotel spas in Paris. Here, guests can be pampered with hot stone massages, body wraps, and aromatherapy treatments.

Dining-wise, The Peninsula Paris has 4 onsite restaurants, including L’Oiseau Blanc, which serves delicious French cuisine. This Paris hotel is a must-stay for travellers looking for a luxurious and sophisticated experience in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.